Worktribe and processing of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Please note the following is describing the processes for Worktribe and CPD only. It is NOT meant as a descriptor of all processes relating to CPD.

1. There is a new activity called ‘CPD (Closed and non academic credit bearing)’.
   In order to put an activity of this kind through Worktribe, the CPD must meet both criteria. In this instance, closed means only those can attend who the funder endorses. The activity is exempt from VAT and must go through Oxford Brookes University, the VAT status is exempt and any VAT incurred in making the supply is irrecoverable. For this activity, RBDO will agree the contract required before the project can start.
   IF the IP is owned by the funder, then the CPD should be logged as activity ‘Consultancy’ and should be routed through Oxford Brookes Enterprises and is taxable at the standard rate for VAT, any VAT incurred in making the supply can be recoverable in full. For this activity, RBDO will agree the contract required before the project can start.
2. If the activity meets the closed and non-academic credit bearing definition above then it MUST be put on Worktribe.
3. If individuals pay via the shop then this can still be processed through Worktribe – but RBDO will need to be advised by the Faculty as to when to move status on Worktribe after that status has got to ‘submitted’. In a scenario when the shop is being used, the shop’s terms and conditions will be expected to apply and RBDO will not provide a contract.
4. For the purposes of administrative processes, we will only use the phrase ‘CPD’ irrespective of the length of the programme being delivered, so the term ‘short course’ will not be used. This does not, of course, preclude the use of the term in marketing or other contexts, but should reduce the confusion that currently exists in use of the CPD and short course terminology.
5. CPD that is academic credit bearing, whether open or closed, should be referred to the Academic Policy and Quality Unit and should not be on Worktribe.
6. CPD that is open and non academic credit bearing does not really fall with the Worktribe remit BUT as the use of Worktribe helps to capture important data and it is not clear where else this data may be captured, it was agreed that Sian King would set up a new Worktribe category where faculties could use this activity and Worktribe functionality if they so choose. RBDO would not process the project and would not produce a contract. Use of Worktribe in this instance would be up to the discretion of each Faculty. Use or otherwise of Worktribe does not preclude the need for correct and proper costings, agreed within the Faculty by the Head of Faculty Finance and for an appropriate contract to be in place, negotiated by Legal Services. Worktribe would include a 40% overhead income template for use for this activity.
7. Conferences that disseminate research or produce a research output should go through Worktribe as a research activity. Conferences that are not producing or disseminating research should use the process outlined in vi) above ie for open and non academic credit bearing activities and use Worktribe if they wish.

Sarah Taylor/Sian King/Alice Helps/Steven Radley.
Agreed with sub-set of Research Finance Systems Working Group on 9 May 2014
Additional feedback from RBDO 19 May 2014
Agreed with Joanne Jones on 6 June 2014
9 June 2014